Outlet-box.



J. N. SUISM.

OUTLET BOX.

APPLIOATION FILED P11312, 1908.

Patented May 4, 1909.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

JonN N. scrsir, or srRAcUsE, NEW YoEx.

OUTLE T-B OX.

Specification of Letters Patent. Application led February 12, 1908. Serial No. 415,615.

Patented May 4, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JOHN N.' ScrsM, citizen vof the United States, and resident of Syracuse,

in the county of Onondaga, in the` State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Outlet-Boxes, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of this invention is to provide an outlet-box which shall be simple and inexpensive in .construction and adapted to contain electric fixtures of various kinds and varying sizes and securely sustain the fixture in its required position. And to that end the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of the component parts of the outlet-box and means for sustaining Vthe fixture therein as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section of an outlet-box embodying-my invention; Fig. 2 is a top or snap-switch or fixture removed;

front view of the box, with the cover and 3 is a vertical transverse section partly in e evation illustrating a modiiication of the clamping means; and Fig. 4 is a detached plan view of Ythe diaphragm which is employed in the f modifie form of clamp.

Likel numerals of reference indicate like parts 1n the several views.

-1- denotes the box which is composed of metal and may be of any suitable style. Said box is preferably of annular shape as commonly used for the Y urpose stated and is provided-at diametrical y opposite sides with y openings '-22- for the entrance and exit the electric-wires (not shown). In these openings are usually secured short tubes 3 3- (indicated by dotted lines) through which the wires ass; If desired these tubes may be formed integral with the box; however they are generally fastened by corre- -4- is providedwith a larger central aperture --10`-v for the protrusion of a portion of the electric-fixture, 'which maybe of any suitable and well known form used in the installation of lighting and other electric-al systems.

,For illustration in thepresent instance, the xture consists of a so-called snapswitch as represented at -11. the sald xture being provided with the usual block or base -12- of insulating material in which are secured the electric-terminals (notl necessary to be shown) to which the wires are to be connected. I

' The means of securing the fixture within the box -1- comprises essentially an adjustably" supported diaphragm --13- on which the fixture is seated andwhich serves to clamp the said fixture iirmly against the cover *4L-1 The said diaphragm -13- may be of any suitable and convenient shape however it consists preferably of a flat 'rlng which is provided with a series of screw-- threaded apertures -14-14- for the reception of screws -15-15* which operate to adjust the diaphragm -13 in relation to the cover 4f so as to cause the platev to exert the proper degree of ressure on the back of the fixture and there y securely clam-p the iixture between the diaphragm and cover.

The foregoing description sets forth the essential features of my lnvention, viz. an

outlet-box provided with ay diaphragm' adjustable to different Aplanes within said box and supporting the electric fixture, and means for forcing said diaphragm toward the cover of the box to bind the'said lixture between the'diaphragm and said cover. This is clearly illustrated in both Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, with slight modifications of the means for forcing the diaphragm toward the cover of the box.

I In Fi 1 the screws v--15-' extend from the'diap ragm toward the'bottom of the box and are supported thereon by means of s iral springs .-16- interposed between said ottom and nuts `17 applied to the screws,

the fixture bein thus cushioned in the box.

The pressure o the dia hragm toward the cover ofthe box can in t -s case be' adjusted `by turning either the screws l5-e .or the nuts'-17-. e f v Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawings, it will beunderstood that the cover -4- may be secured to the box 1- .by any suitable means, preferably in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1 and hereinbefore described. In this clearly in Fig. 4.

modiiied construction, the adjusting screws -15-15- pass through plain apertures -18-18- in the cover -4- and work in the correspondingly screw-threaded apertures -1414 in the diaphragm i3- as before stated.

To guard against turning of the fixture -11-, I rovide two er more screws -19- 19-'- passing through the insulating block or base -12- thereof and engaging threaded apertures -20-20* in the diaphragmA -13-; however, any other suitable means may be employed for the purpose. These apertures -20-20- are' referably provided in inwardly projectingl ugs -21-21- formed 0n the inner`perip eral edge of the ring or diaphragm -13- as shown more If desired the diaphragm 13- may be formed with a bar -22- extending diametrically across the same as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 4.

eadfloi It is obvious that in either of the described structures the parts can be quickly and easily assembled.

I prefer to cut out portions of the diaphragm -13-, at its outer peripheral edge as indicated at -13X-13X-, so as to accommodate the lugs -8-8- on the box, and ermit the diaphragm -13- to be readily p aced in the box or removed therefrom when desired.

What I claim as my invention is:

. An outlet-box provided with a diaphragm adjustable to diere'nt planes within said box and supporting the electric-fixture, and means for forcin said diaphragm toward the lcover of the box to bind the said fixture between the diaphragm and said cover.

, JOHN N. SCISM. In presence of-ri J. D. FEELEY, G. KAISER. 

